Automatically operated press



May' 12, 1931. R, T* KlNG A1,805,367

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED PRES S Filed April 18. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Rc1 nald T Ki@ May 12, 1931. I R. T. Km@ 1,805,567

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED PRESS Filed April 18.19.29 5 sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Ronald T King?? R. T. KING May l2, 1931.

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED PRESS Filed- April 18, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTOR. Ranald 'T Kig Patented ltlay l2, 193i entre 3.0mm KING, @1F BLNGJEN, NEW JERSEY AUT'MATICLLY @EETEE ERES@ Appleatlon :tiled April l, 19%. @ferial lilo. $56,190.

` rlhis invention relates to improvements in automatically operated pressure machinery. The primary object ofthe invention is the provision of an automatically controlled hydraulic press, the pressing head or element of which may be automatically controlled for lthe application of a variable pressure; the improved apparatus being preferably used in connection with metal stamping presses and the like, by means of which low pressure is supplied to bring the platens into initial position, and subsequently subjected to high pressure to` complete the operation, ai'ter which the ressed element between the platens may e moved'to the original position; all of the operations being automatic.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved hydraulic press mechanismwhich may be automatically controlled to conduct a variable pressure, by novel electrical control means. Y

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course oi the following detailed description.,

ln the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein simi` ar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure l is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken 'through mechanism which may control the flow. of low and high pressure duids, preferably a liquid, for the operation Y' of a press piston, or thelike.

Figures 2 and 3 are fragmentary sectional views showing respectively the intake and crhaust ends of the machine, and a diderent adjustment of valves than that shown in Figure l, for the respective intake of pressure and exhaust thereof.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the wiring circuits and operating details therefor, for controlling the application of high and low pressure fluids and the exhaust thereof` in the machine of Fi re l.

Figure 5 is a fragment of t e press casing to the press C.

Y tion.

ln the-drawings, wherein `for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the improved machine, consisting of the control mechanism B for regulating the intake of the pressure medium lt is to be understood that the improved controller B and the automatic means for controlling the same may be used lor supplying variable pressure wherever desired. lt is shown in its present instance as operating a press. The press C includes the cylinder l0, having a plunger or piston ll reciprocable therein, preferably upward, upon which a platen l2. may be supported, in the usual relation; being moved by the piston l1 toward the overhead platen lll, for any of the well known purposes. The cylinder 10 at the lower end thereof below the piston ll is provided with an intake duct. 15, which has connection by a conduit 16 with a duct 17 in the control mechanis B to be subsequently described. A

'lhe pressure control mechanism B preferably comprises a casing 20, having a low pressure inlet valve mechanism 2l associatedtherewith; a high pressure inlet valve mechanism 22, and exhaust mechanism 2d for eX- hausting the pressure medium.

The casing 20 for the valve 2l is provided with a passageway 25 therethrough, preferably vertically disposed, in which is a bushing 26 providing a valve seat., 'lhe valve 27 of the mechanism 21 includes a depending stem portion 27', which extends slidably downward through a suitable gland 28 eX- teriorly of the casing, for operatmn in a manner to be subsequently described. rllhe valve member 27 is provided with an upwardly extending stem 30, projecting into a removable compartment provlding cap 31, wherein a spring 33 is disposed, seated at its upper. en

upon a compression ad'usting nut 34 and at its lower end upon t e stem 30, to normally urge the valve 27 into a seated relation upon the bushing 26, to close off the upper portion o f the valve passageway 25 rom the lower portion below the bushing 26. A duct 36 extends laterally through the casing into the portion of the valve passageway 25 above the bushing 26, and in this duct 36 is provided a conduit 37 thru which the low pressure fluid flows into the casing 20; a back pressure preventing check valve 40 being provided in the pipe line 37 Referring to the high pressure fluid controlling valve mechanism 22, the casing 20 is provided with a compartment 41 therein, into which the high pressure fluid enters in any approved manner; the compartment 41 having a ca 42 at the top of the casing to close ott an seal the same from leakage, and the compartment 41 having a bushing 43 therein with a passageway therethrough, and providing a seat for the high pressure valve member 45 which seats thereon incident to the pressure of the Huid, to prevent the entry of the high pressure fluid into the duct 17, thru which both the low and high i pressure fluids pass to the hydraulic press.

As a further part of the valve mechanism 22, it is preferred to provide a slidable stem 47, operating within a compartment 48 provided in the casing belowithe valve 45, at the opposite side of the duct 17 from said valve 45; the valve stem 47 having a reduced por- -tion 49 which may operate against the valve 45 to unseat the latter.4 On the valve unseating stern 47 is disposed a piston or packing 50,- of a predetermined size considerably larger in diameter than the portionof the valve stem which is exposed to the low pressure duct 17. The packing 50 is reciprocable in the passageway 48, being in engagement with'the walls thereof, and a spring 51 acts against suitable packing 52 in the upper por# tion of th'e compartment 48, and is under compression and operates at its other end on the packing 50, normally tending to force the stem 47 downwardly away from the valve 45 to permit the seating of the 'latter incident to the high pressure medium' acting thereagainst. The valve unseating stem 47 is provided with a reduced extension 55 projecting downwardly exteriorly of the casing 20, and there being provided with a head 56 operating in the forked end 5T of a switch member 59,' which is pivoted between its ends at '60, so that the end of the switch member 59 at the opposite side from its connection with the stem 55 may operate between the spaced contacts 62 and 63, for a purpose to be subsequently described.

In .the casing 20, the compartment 25 below the valve 27, that is at the opposite side of said valve 27 from the low pressure inlet duct 36, is provided with a duct 60, which extends intoa vertical passageway 62 communicating at one end with a duct 64 into the lower end of the compartment 48 below the packing 50, that is, at the opposite side of said acking 50 from the'high pressure mechanism 24 seats. An Aexhaust duct 72 extends from the outsideof the casing to the compartment 65 at the opposite side ofthe valve from the duct 17 The valve 70 has an upper stem portion 74 which does not obstruct the passageway of the pressure Huid thru the duct 17, but which extends upwardly into a removable compartment providing cap 75 similar to the cap 31 above described, wherein a spring 77 is provided, adjustable by means of an adjusting nut 79, and which acts against the stem 74, normally tending to seat the valve 70. A depending stem portion 80 connects with the valve 70 and extends downwardly through a suitable gland 81 exyteriorly of the casing 20, for actuation by suitable means to be subsequently described.

The valves 27 and 70 are respectively actuated by means of solenoids 85 and 86, the coils of which may be secured to the casing 20 and the cores 87 and 88 respectively, of which, may be connected at 89 and 90 respectively with levers 92 and 93; The levers 92 and 93 are pivoted at 95 andl 96 respectively, upon posts 97, so that said levers 92 and 93 intermediate their ends respectively engage the ,y

stems 27 and 80. Upon energizing the coils of the electro-magnet, the levers 92-and 93` will be drawnupwardly at their solenoid core connections for unseating the valves 27 and 70, for purposes to be subsequently mentioned.

The automatic operation of the pressure control mechanismis effected by means of electrically operated elements, shown in their v wiring circuits in Figure 4. The electricity' is taken from the feed lines 100 and 101.

relayswitch 102 is provided. including a coil 103 Vand-the switch arm 104 connected to a core which operates in the coil 103. Any other approved-switch may be provided if so desired. The arm 104 is adapted to close a circuit through the coil of the solenoid 85. From the feed wire 101 a wire 106 extends to one end of the switch coil 103; the other end of the switch coil being connected to wire 107. In. the wire 106 there is a spring operated switch 108 which is normally held open, and which is' finger operated to enable the v114 is connected with the switch arm 59, thru which the circuit flows back into the feed line 101, as can readily be seen from Figure 4. Upon energizing of the coil 103 in this manner, by closing of the switch 108, the switch arm 104 will be drawn down into engagement with contacts 117 and 118, for closing 'the circuit througlithe coil of the solenoid 85. r1`he circuit flows to the coil through the wire 106, into the switch arm 104, through the wire 120 connected therewith, and thence thru the contact 117 into the coil of the solenoid 85, returning thru wire 121 to the feed wire 101, in a manner which is apparent from Figure 4. At the same time that the switch arm 104 is closed to engage the contact 118, the operator will release the push button 108 which will spring open. However, the circuit will still flow thru the wire 106 int-o the coil 103 for holding the switcharm 104 closed upon its contacts, because the circuit now flows in the wire 106 into the switch 104. into the coil 103 'and thence thru the wire 107, in the manner above described, to the feed wire 101.

The energizing of the solenoid coil in the above described manner draws the core 87 thereinto. and thru the lever 92 the stem 27 is moved to unseat the valve from its seat 26. The low pressure Huid, preferably a liquid then enters the duct 36 and the compartment 25, passing through the ductl 6()a into the passageway 62a and into the ducts 17 and 64. TheA low pressure is supplied thru the line 16 under the piston 11,l forcing the same upwardly until the movable platen thereof is brought into engagement with any work that might be supported thereon beneath the platen 14. As soon as the work is moved t-o a point where it will offer resistance between the piston-platen andthe stationary platen 14, the low pressure will of course find no room for further expansion in the cylinder 10, and will increase, entering the compartment 48 beneath the packing 50 to operate thereupon for moving the stem 47 in the direction of the high pressure inlet regulating valve 45. It is to be noted that the high pressure fluid is operating on the valve 45, at the opposite side from the' low pressure which is acting thereagainst thru the duct 17. However, due to the fact that the augmented low pressure fluid is acting both against the packing 50 and ,the valve 45, it will overcome the resistance offered to opening of the valve 45,'by reason of the high pressure fluid acting thereon, since the piston or stem 47 is moved by the action of the low pressure fluid into engagement with t-he valve 45. Upon opening of the valve 45 high pressure fluid will of course enter the duct 17 thru the passageway in the seat of the. valve 45, and the high pressure fluid will pass thru the line 16 for forming the work between the platens, in a manner which is perfectly apparent.

At the time that. the high pressure inletv regulating valve 45 opens, the switch arm 59 will be moved'to disengage 'from the contact 62, and when the high pressure inlet valve 45 is open, the switch 59 will engage the contact 63. This operation will break the circuit through the coil 103 of the relay switch102, enabling t-he switch arm 104 thereof to. move, incident to the action of its spring 125, out of engagement with the contacts 117 and 118, and de-energizes the solenoid 85, permitting the valve 27` to close, and shutoff low pressure fluid. Any tendency of the high pressure fluid to back into the line 37 will be resisted by the back pressure preventing check valve 40, shown in 'Figure 1. l

The movement of the switch arm 59 toengage the contact 63 close a circuit 130v through a retarded relay 131, and after a passing of the predetermined time, during'which the press work is accomplished, the electroinagnet of the retarded relay will attract the armature switch arm 132 thereof, from its normally opened position, moving it into engagement with a contact 134. This closing of the switch arm 132 directs the current from the wire 100 through a wire 135 across the switch arm 132 into a wire 136 into one end ofthe coil 137 of a relay switch 138, and at the other end of the coil 137 into a wire 140 and through a normally closed switch 141, through a normally closed switch 142, into a line 143l connected with the feed wire 101. The energizing of the relay switch coil 137 of course attracts the armature switch arm 144 thereof, into engagement with the contacts 145 and 146. The circuit is thus closed through the solenoid 86, by way of wire 135, wire 147, switch arm 144, contact 145, intothe solenoid coil', and returning to feed line'101 by way of wire 143. The switch arm 144 is held normally open by a spring 150.

Thel operation of the solenoid 86 moves the lever 93 toa position where it will open the valve 70, permitting the pressure fluid to pass from the cylinder 10 and the duct 17 ,into the exhaust duct'72- from whence it is conveyed to any suitable location. The pressure having been released from the piston 11 ofthe hydraulic press, the work is released, and the operation thereon completed. As the cylinder 11 of the press moves to its nal position after exhaustion of the pressure Huid, an arm 160 thereon willmove into engagement with one end of a switch arm 163 of the switch 142, which is pivoted'between its ends at 164, and against action of the spring 165t Aao , eration, that is, the closing of the opening they deenerg1zes thereof will move the contact of said switch arm outof engagement with a contact 165, circuit thru the wire 143. This the relay coil 137 and permits the spring operated switclrarm 144 to open from engagement with its contact. It also breaks the circuit through the retarded relay 131. Release ot pressure in the casing 2() permits the spring 51 to move the stem or piunger t7 downwardly, permitting the high pressure inlet vaive 45 to close, and moving the switch arm 59 once more into engagement with the contact 62, breakingthe circuit through the retarded relay 131.

The closing of the valve occurs upon the breaking ofthe circuit thru the solenoid 86, due to the spring 77, to prevent too tar downward movement of the hydraulic ram.or piston. v

A manually operable switch 111 above mentioned isprovided, which inciudes the switch arm 17 0 pivoted between its ends. It includes a pair of contacts 171 and 172, in the circuit leadingr from the conta-et 62 to the switch 110 above described, normally engageable therewith to close the line leading from the contact 62 to the switch 110. A spring (not shown) at the pivot'of the switch arm 170 stations the switch arm in this position. Associated with the switch 111 is also a pair of contacts 1,76 and 177, the former ot which lis connected by a wire 178 to the line 136 above described, and the Contact .177 is connected with the contacts 134; in a conducting relation therewith. This emergency switch mechanism may be used to perform the same function as the delayed relay 131, that is, the operator may move the switch `arm 17() on its pivot intoengagement with the contacts 176 and`177, at the expiration of a predetermined time, to perform thelast part of the op- 138 thru the solenoid 86, and the performance of the remainder of the automatic func'- tion of the-machine. .The advantage inproviding the emergency switch 111'isapparent, for thereby any Apredetermined period of time may bepern'iitted to elapse from the time that the high pressure has been applied to the work on the hydraulic pressure, until the release of the piston by the arm 170 en the contacts 176 and 177.

The switches 110and 141 are both supported upon the same operating vstem or t'rame,shown at 185 in Figure 4. They are spring operated at 186 to be normally closed. Pushing 'of the stem 185 will de-energize all of the operating circuits and stop the press in any position that it may occupy at the timeof openingof said switches; all the valves closing of course. i

In Vplace of the press lcylinder switch 163 above described, the switch shown in Figure 5 may be used, which will permitthe cylinder to stop 1n anyposition desired, during relay switch means downward motion. This is made possible by providing a switch block 190, adjlustable on the post 191 of the press,V by means of a set screw 193 c-r the likethe switch arm 194: being spring actuated at 195 to normally, close a circuit by engaging a contact 196 secured upon the block 190; the switch arm 194 being pivoted between its ends and having a roller 197 engageable by an extension 198 on the cylinder v11. Such switch is used in the same manner and for lthe/same purpose as the switch 163,V above described, i's used in the circuit 143.

In Figure 2 is shown the actuation of the control mechanism with the low pressure inlet valve open just at the time that the high pressure inlet 45 has opened. Figure 3 shows the exhaust valve 70 opened, upon actuation of the solenoid 86.

From the foregoing it is apparent that 'an' improved automatic operating and control mechanism for the pressure actuation of hydraulic pressure has been provided, which embodies practical Jfeatures rendering the same particularly weil adaptable for a wide variety of uses where the automatic actuationA of hydraulic presses, with avariable pressure action, is desirable, and when per- -'forming a multiplicity of operations of the same character.

Various changes. in arrangement of parts may bey made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: 1 l1. In mechanism the shape, size, and

'for controlling the admission of high and low pressures to the cyly inders of an hydraulic press, Athe combina` 'tion of a pressure supply. main, valve means for controlling admission of low pressure to the said main, valve means for controlling admission of high pressure to the said main, means operated by the iowof low-pressure to the main at the time that the hydraulic press meets work resistance for automatically opening the last mentioned valve for admission of high pressure to said main, an exhaust valve for releasing pressure from said main, and delayed action means automatically operated by the means which opens the high pressure valve means for opening the exhaust valve and releasing the pressure after the high pressure has operated the hydraulic press for a predetermined interval. 2. In mechanism for controlling the admission of high and low pressure to the cylinder of an hydraulic press, the combination ofa supply main, valve means for admitl ting low pressure to the supply main, valve for admitting high pressure to the supply main, means for automatically operating said valve means in succession for admission of .low pressure and high pressure to the cylinder of the hydraulic press, valve means for releasing pressure from the supply main and hydraulic press cylinder, and an electrically operated delayed action relay means connected with said last mentioned valve means and automatically operable upon the application of high pressure in the cylinder after a predetermined time lor.

opening said valve means last mentioned to releasepressure from the cylinder.

3. ln an electrical control for the automatic operation of a low pressure valve, a high pressure valve, and a pressure release valve for hydraulic. presses, the combination of a low pressure inlet valveoperating solenoid, a release pressure valve operating solenoid, switch means for closing a circuit thru the first mentioned solenoid to actuate the low pressure inlet valve, switch means actuated upon opening of a high pressure .inlet valve for breamng the circuit through combination of a casing having pressure connection with the cylinder, means to admit low pressure to the casing for transmission to the cylinder, means to admit high pressure to the casing for transmission to the cylinder, a normally closedvalve regulating admission ot low pressure to the cylinder, a normally closed pressure release valve for. releasing pressure from the cylinder, av normally closed high pressure valve for admitting hi h pressure to the cylinder, solenold means tor opening the low pressure valve, a relay switch in circuit with the solenoid means, a normally opened switch manually controlled for actuating the relay switch, a retarded relay in circuit, means .actuable upon the admission of low pressure t0 the cylinder for opening thereafter the high pressure control valve, switch means controlled by the last mentioned means for breakin the circuit through the` solenoid means a ove mentioned upon the opening of the high pressure valve, said switch means operatmg to close the circuit through said retarded relay upon the opening of said high pressure inlet valve, solenoid means for actuating the normally closed releasevalve, and circuit means for'the last mentioned solenoid means including a normally open switch armature actuated upon the energizing of said retarded relay to set the last mentioned solenoid means in operation for opening the release valve.

5. 'ln mechanism for controlling` the admission of high and low pressure` for the actuat1on of a piston of an hydraulic press, the combination of. a casing having pressure connection with the cylinder, means to admit loW pressure to the casing for transmission .to the cylinder, means to admit high pressure to the casing for transmission to the cylinder, a normally closed valve regulating ad-.

mission of low pressure to the cylinder, a normally closed pressure release valve for releasing pressure from the cylinder, a normally closed high pressure valve for admitting high pressure to the cylinder, solenoid means for opening the low pressure valve,a relay switch in circuitvwith the solenoid means, a normally opened switch manually controlled for actuating the relay switch, a retarded relay in circuit, means actuable upon the admission of low pressure to the cylinder :for opening thereafter the high pressure control valve, switch means controlled by the last mentioned means for breaking the circuit through the solenoid means abovementioned upon the opening -of the high pressure valve, said switch means operating vto-close the circuit through said retarded relay npon the opening of said high pressure inlet valve, solenoid means for actuating the normally closed release valve, circuit means for the last mentioned solenoid means including a normally open switch armature actuated upon the energizing of said retarded relay to set the last mentioned solenoid means in operation for opening the release-valve, and

manually operated switch means for cutting out the retarded relay and actuating the last lmentioned solenoid operating means.

6. ln mechanism for controlling the admission of high and low pressure for the actuation of a piston of an hydraulic press, the combination of a casing having pressure connection with the cylinder, means 'to admit' low pressure to the casing for transmission tothe cylinder, means to admit high pressure to the casing for transmission to the cylinder, a normally closed valve regulating admission of low pressure to the cylinder, a normally closed pressure release valve for releasing `pressure from-the cylinder, a normally closed high pressure valve for admitting high pressure to the cylinder, solenoid means for opening the low pressure valve, a relay switch in circuit with the solenoid means, a normally opened switch manually controlled for actuating-the relay switch, a retarded relay in circuit, means actuable upon the admission of ,l

'low pressure to the cylinder for opening thereafter the high pressure control valve, switch means controlled by the last mentioned means for Abreaking the circuit-through the .solenoid meansiabeve mentioned upon the opening of, the high pressure valve, said .switch means operating to close the circuit through said retarded relay upon the opening of said high pressure inlet valve, solenoid means for actuating the normally closed release valve, circuit means for 'the last men tioned solenoid means including a normally open switch armature vactuated upon the energizing of said retarded relay to set the last mentioned solenoid means in operation for opening the release valve, and manually operated switch means for opening the circuit through both of said solenoid means and the retar ed relay to permit an instant closing of the pressure inlet and release valve.

RONALD T. KING. 

